(WWJ) – Health officials in Michigan are issuing a warning for anyone who may have attended or worked at this month's Oakland County Fair after pigs at the fair tested positive for influenza A virus, the causative agent of swine influenza.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) have notified the Oakland County Health Division that the pigs tested positive, officials announced Monday.
The pigs began displaying symptoms on Friday, July 14, at the fair, which ran from July 7-16 at Springfield Oaks County Park in Davisburg and is organized and managed by the Oakland County 4-H Fair Association.
Once officials noticed the pigs had become ill on Friday, the swine barn closed to the public that evening.
While no human cases of swine flu have been reported in Michigan this year, the health department is working with state partners and fair management to contact trace and monitor exhibitors and fair staff who may have been exposed.
Meanwhile, “out of an abundance of caution,” county officials are sending a public alert to notify anyone who may have visited the swine barn.
“Fairgoers who visited the swine barn and develop respiratory symptoms are encouraged to talk to a health care provider and report potential exposure to infected swine,” said Dr. Russell Faust, Oakland County medical director. “Physicians are reminded to consider swine influenza in persons presenting with symptoms, even during the warmer months when seasonal influenza cases are low.”
Swine flu is a respiratory disease in pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Swine flu viruses don't usually infect humans, but human infections have been reported. People cannot get swine influenza from eating properly prepared pork or handling pork products – only from contact with an ill pig.
Symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, including fever, cough, runny nose, and sometimes body aches, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear within three days of exposure but can occur for up to 10 days, according to the health department.
On rare occasions, swine flu in humans can lead to severe illness such as pneumonia or death.
Those at higher risk of developing complications if they get swine influenza include children younger than 5 years, people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people with certain chronic health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, weakened immune systems and neurological conditions.
Related
